PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Delaware County are asking the public for help in pinpointing residents' health needs.
The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is conducting its first-ever community health assessment.
"They identify what the needs of the community are – typically the health needs. Also, some of the social and community needs that lead to better health, and we call those the social determinants of health," said Breeanne Agett with the DCHD.
The assessment, which launched in May, looks at environmental, mental and physical health throughout the county.
"What we found so far is that people are concerned about chronic disease as well as mental health, environmental safety, drug and alcohol-use disorders, as well as violent injuries," she said.
The health survey also encompasses concerns people have when it comes to solving health issues at their roots.
"We've also found that community members have expressed difficulty accessing affordable education after high school, affordable housing, as well as affordable child care."
She says they'll combine information from the assessment with local and national data as well as findings from focus groups.
"Identifying themes and sheeting priorities with community partners that will allow us to develop a community health improvement plan that addresses the health needs of Delaware County residents."
The health department wants at least 3,000 people to participate in the assessment, which wraps up on June 30.
Agett said they are about three-fourths to that goal, but they're pushing for more diverse participation for the online survey that comes in nine different languages.
